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Underworld
2003
In UNDERWORLD, a dark and Gothic monster action movie, vampires and lycans--an ancient form of werewolf--are at war. While the vampires inhabit a gigantic castle that houses their ancestors' tombs, the lycans live underground in a dilapidated sewer cave. Both teams are equipped with big guns, and they are constantly innovating .. Read more
| Starring | Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Shane Brolly, Michael Sheen |
|---|---|
| Director | Len Wiseman |
| Genres | Horror |
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Underworld
In UNDERWORLD, a dark and Gothic monster action movie, vampires and lycans--an ancient form of werewolf--are at war. While the vampires inhabit a gigantic castle that houses their ancestors' tombs, the lycans live underground in a dilapidated sewer cave. Both teams are equipped with big guns, and they are constantly innovating deadlier bullets to gain advantage over each other. On the vampire side, the leather-clad death agent Selene (Kate Beckinsale) delegates teams of vampires to attack the lycans. But when she discovers that the lycans have kidnapped a human medical student, Michael Corvin (Scott Speedman), she knows the worst is on its way. Against the orders of her superior, Kraven (Shane Brolly), who is obsessively in love with Selene, she awakens the most powerful vampire of all time, Viktor (Bill Nighy) and prepares for a massive feud against lycan leader Lucian (Michael Sheen).
Director Len Wiseman offers a tough, fast, and gory addition to the horror-fantasy genre with UNDERWORLD. Impressive special effects show the lycans transforming from humans to werewolves, and the lycans' ability to squeeze silver bullets out of their skin is also rudely fascinating. Beckinsale is captivating in the role of the lead vamp, with her leather corset, pouty expressions, and double-fisted pistols perfectly communicating the glam-action mood of the film.
| Starring | Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Shane Brolly, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Erwin Leder, Sophia Myles, Richard Cetrone, Robbie Gee |
|---|---|
| Director | Len Wiseman |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 1 min Blu-ray: 2 hrs 1 min |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Feisty Females |
| Genres | Horror |
| Language | DVD: English Blu-ray: English |
| Released | DVD: 21 Feb 2005 Blu-ray: not available Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
Underworld (2003)
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Critics' reviews (2)
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It's quite a feat to have sucked the life out of an attractive comic book-style vampire versus werewolf premise, but debut director Len Wiseman has crafted the most stylistically derivative and monotonously plotted horror film possible. The casting is equally defective, with Kate Beckinsale unconvincing as sullen bloodsucker Selene, a sort of waif-like female version of Blade, and Michael Sheen lacking stature as her “Lycan” enemy. Set against a hackneyed melancholy gothic backdrop, the story piles on scene after scene of portentous, humourless exposition, only stopping occasionally for these centuries-old rival gangs to fire off rounds of ammo. Why such rich potential for teeth-baring conflict is abandoned in favour of sub-Matrix gunplay is one of many questions posed before the film's faintly enjoyable final battle. Only Bill Nighy, as a fearsome ancient vampire, really makes any sort of fanged impression on this dreary disappointment.
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Absurdly posturing movie in which the acting is the only horror.
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Most helpful member's review
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53 out of 57 people found this review helpful
Deeper than you might expect.
'Vampires Vs Werewolves'
Sounds at best like a comic book, at worst like a cheesy low budget, laughably bad piece of horror.
If youre prepared to look beyond this you will be rewarded by a well written gothic thriller that is quite a treat.
Take ideas from blade, the matrix, mix with traditional gothic ideals, and even a pinch of classic period drama (I cannot really explain the period drama references without giving away large pieces of the plot but on so many levels this could have easily been rich vs poor, black vs white, the families of romeo and juliet you name it, I kid you not) but its all bought back down to earth with some matrix style action which actually works better and is more convincing in this film.
In short its a well written story which steals ideas from all over the place but works with them to make them better and more convincing than those films the ideas were stolen from.
Screams for a sequel. Watch with an open mind and be rewarded.
Id also like to point out this film also raises the bar with some excellent acting, particularly from Kate. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Not great!
I just couldn't get into this film. Found it boring, and yet another vampire type movie that didn't offer much else. If you want to watch a vampire film get the Blade trilogy.
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News and features
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Beckinsale denies Underworld reports
- 09 Sep 2009
Kate Beckinsale has dismissed reports she is set to sink her fangs into a fourth Underworld movie. The actress pulled out of the third installment of the vampire versus werewolves action movie, which was created by her husband, filmmaker Len Wiseman. Rumours last month (Aug09) suggested Beckinsale would reprise her role for Underworld 4: 3-D, which is set to hit cinemas in January, 2011. But Beckinsale had shot down the reports, insisting she won't return to the part for at least a decade -... Read more
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